Stuttgart vs. Heidenheim preview: Top four hopefuls welcome strugglers

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side sit fifth in the Bundesliga with nine points after a 2-1 win over FC Köln on September 28. Their recent Europa League defeat to Basel – a 2-0 loss – ended a nine-game streak of scoring, highlighting that the team still has room for improvement.

Stuttgart have been particularly vulnerable in the opening and closing stages of matches, with each of the last nine goals they have conceded occurring before the 10th minute or after the 80th. 

Nevertheless, the hosts have enjoyed solid home form under Hoeneß, winning three consecutive matches at MHPArena, matching their total from the previous eight home games.

Forward Deniz Undav remains unavailable, though Ermedin Demirović is expected to lead the line. Angelo Stiller continues as a midfield mainstay after featuring in 32 of 34 Bundesliga games last season.

In defence, Finn Jeltsch is sidelined with a groin injury, so Luca Jaquez and Julian Chabot are likely to partner at the back.

Predicted lineup – 4-2-3-1: Nübel – Vagnoman, Jaquez, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Karazor, Stiller – Tomás, El Khannouss, Leweling – Demirović

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim are 17th in the table with just three points, but come off a narrow 2-1 win against Augsburg on September 27, ending a four-game losing streak.